Treacy: We've got unfinished business

Cuala star says his side want to prove themselves 'great'

David Treacy of Cuala in action against Kilmacud Crokes during the Dublin Senior Hurling final at Parnell Park on Saturday. Pic: Sportsfile

Given the circumstances of their first crack at Leinster, it's natural enough that David Treacy feels Cuala have "unfinished business" in the provincial Championship.

Having ended a 21-year arid spell without a county title last year, the Dalkey side went all the way to the Leinster decider wherein they were beaten by the province's nearly men of the previous five seasons, Oulart The Ballagh of Wexford.

It was the first appearance of a Dublin club at such an advanced stage of the calendar since Ballyboden's run to the 2007 Leinster decider.

"Now, we can look forward," Treacy told the Herald after a second Dublin title in succession was secured with a gutsy victory over Kilmacud Crokes on Saturday.

"All the time after that match (against Oulart), we felt it was one we left behind us. We didn't do ourselves justice.

"So there is unfinished business there for us. But it starts next week again.

"And we take it match by match. And that's the only way we can think about it."

That campaign begins next Sunday back at Parnell Park against Laois champions Borris-Kilcotton, who claimed the first county title in their history by beating Rathdowney-Errill two weeks back.

Having withstood a stirring Crokes comeback on Saturday after first dominating the opening half of the final, Cuala look a smart bet to give Leinster another rattle, particularly with Oulart, Kilkenny champions O'Loughlin Gaels and Offaly winners St Rynagh's all on the opposite side of the provincial draw.

"In the semi and the quarters, we had some really tough matches," Treacy noted.

"So our aim was to start well in the first 10 minutes and it did come off.

"But credit to Crokes in the second half.

"They're never bet until their bet and they brought it back from seven points (down) to level it and then go ahead."

"It's just a special group of players," the Dublin star added in praise of his team mates.

"And we want to be as successful as we can be while we can.

Waves

"We're very fortunate. We have a lot of county players on our team. And these things come in waves. You have to take advantage and make hay while you can.

"And in fairness to Mattie (Kenny), he won't let the hunger go. He won't leave it.

"He beats it into us in every single training session. 'Do you want to be a good team or do you want to be a great team?'

"And," Treacy concluded, "we're just trying to become a great team at the moment."